silver christmas inspiration

While in England this week, I was hoping to find some inspiration for the silver and white theme I'm preparing for our Christmas decorations at home this year.

I wasn't disappointed, one of my favourite stores, the White Company, have come up trumps and prepared some beautiful decorations and styling ideas which I shall be putting to work as soon as I get home this weekend. 

Now - with most of my shopping done, my traditional Christmas puddings made and storing, and the sudden and overdue drop in temperatures finally happened - I am well and truly in Christmas mood and mode.

All photos thank to the White Company

a beautiful home

I'm in a fr-e-e-e-zing cold England for a few days this week, visiting with family and doing some Christmas shopping with my mum.    One of my sisters conjured up a wonderful surprise for me and provided me with today's post.

I have to tell you that my sister Nicola is an über-talented interior designer, working in the south east of England.  Later this week I'll show you the sweetest cottage that she has just finished, but today she invited  me to tag along to see a client who graciously allowed me to let me take pictures.

The grounds of the house are stunning, planted carefully to provide year-round interest and give real structure to what is a very large area.  Pieces of modern sculpture are used to compliment   the landscape design and the architecture of the house and outbuildings.

If it all looks this good early december, just imagine how wonderful the garden must be in June!!

isn't this tree house to die for?!  - just imagine the tea parties that could be held up here!

A part of the house is Tudor,  dating back to the 15th century.   It has been extended several times through the years but always in keeping with the original architecture.

Indoors it was important not not be overwhelmed by the history and size of the house and create a comfortable setting for everyday living.

Nicola had fun creating this family cinema room - and so did the upholsterer who had to follow her specs on the plaid sofa! :)

The pictures speak for themselves, but the lasting memory of this home for me will be the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, a real family home.  This is surely what a really good interior designer working with   discerning clients is meant to achieve; effortless ease and elegance.

Tina and Marsha's party - by invitation only!

Oh dear, I'm in a bit of a tiff!  I've been invited to a big swish do at the amazingly enchanted home of Tina.  Everything looks so grand and impressive I've looked through my wardrobe a hundred times trying to decide what to wear.

Marsha told me about the party, although she didn't really reassure the country girl that I am; her words were: 

"We've each received the same invitation to a fabulous Christmas party in someone's beautiful home. The date is December 23rd. Let's imagine it's in Tina's new home, just for a visual treat. But, it's her 1st party in her new home and she's pulling out all stops. There will be live music, carolers, a lavish buffet, champagne passed around by waiters in tuxedos. You know, a very swell party."

 A glance at the contents of my wardrobe told me that my habitual attire may be good enough for Normandy, but would most definitely not produce the right effect chez Tina.  So ...... I called my personal stylist!  That surprised you didn't it?!  I bet you thought I didn't even know what a stylist was, but hey, I have lived elsewhere than this valley you know, I am aware of the need to be chic and glitzy when required!

My stylist has bright blue eyes, beautiful  hair and  legs a mile long ; she knows everything there is to know about fashion, she's 16 years old, she's called Nina,   and ... she's my daughter!  Take it away Nina!

Getting Mummy [that's me folks] ready to go to Tina's beautiful party, is all about compromise and making her see sense:  

of course she thinks she wants to wear shoes like these,

but seeing the size of Tina's home, in heels like that she'd never manage the run from the porte cochère to the salon, let alone the tour that she hopes Tina is going to give her guests ....

 so instead, she needs beautiful éscarpins like this from Chanel

Mummy believes that she'd be happy in a dress like this

but I know her, she'd be hopeless in something that floaty, she'd manage to trip over the hem, or dip the ruffle into someone's champagne,  in reality she'd be way happier in this little dress (they are both by Christophe Josse)

Jewellry is easy, she only like to wear simple pieces, and her favourite is the bamboo collection by Gucci, she'll be best wearing their ring

and bracelet

the bag could be a problem; she's so used to using her big black Lancel, with the space for everything including her camera. 

Actually I think that for this soirée, she'd be better without a bag, she'll feel more comfortable without anything in her hands except of course for the cadeau, but now I have sorted her clothes, I'll let her tell you what she wants to bring Tina as a house warming gift.

Thank you darling, so glad you are there to keep me on the straight and narrow.  It wasn't easy to find a suitable gift for Tina, after all what do you get for the girl who seems to have everything?!  

I think that in her new home she'll have a lot of wall space to dress, so I thought I'd like to take her a painting, nothing too big, but something feminine that could fit in easily, maybe in her new dressing room. 

I wanted a theme that would remind her of the fun she has with her blog and the support and friendship of the many women who stop by to read her.  I chose this painting by the impressionist Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, I thought it looks comfortable and elegant, I hope she does too! 

Thank you to Marsha for having created this fun monthly happening, By invitation Only.   Shoot over to her blog straight away to see how the other ladies will be dressed for this virtual Christmas party.

crystal for the christmas tree

This year's Christmas decorations are going to be largely silver and white, with a total absence of red, a new idea in this house, so I hope the children approve!

I've been fortunate to find some beautiful old 'pampilles' or crystal tears, and  I'll be using as many as possible on our Christmas tree.  The larger pampilles with the additional rosace and tiny crystal bead on the top look beautiful strung from a simple ribbon.

There's no comparison between crystal and glass in the way it catches and reflects the light.

what a girl - or a boy - does on a rainy day

You remember Dr Zeuss?   "so all we could do was to sit, sit, sit , sit,  and we did not like it,  not one little bit" -   well here yesterday it rained, rained, rained, rained and consequently I cancelled my plans for trimming in the garden and, much like the infamous cat,  settled down to play with plates.

Many bloggers are clever enough to show fantastic tablescapes as Christmas approaches.  I however am not. In the summer I can manage a decent photo when I lay a pretty table for an al fresco dinner, but shooting the table inside never feels satisfactory. I hate to use a flash, firelight looks too orange; candlelight too dim - just doesn't happen.

So yesterday,  instead of a real tablescape, I rigged up some soft lighting and played around with china, and glass and candlesticks - more of an association of ideas really than a veritable sitting down to dinner.  I didn't even use flowers, just curious to see how much atmosphere I could create with the bare necessities, against a background of antique linen, and tablecloths.

I hope you enjoy, as I say, it's just for fun ...

If you're also having a rainy weekend, I hope you found a way to keep busy.